2018-08-23: Yaks Of All Trades

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  • Log: Yaks Of All Trades
  • Cast: Josephine Lovelace, Claude C. Kenny, Layna Manydays
  • Where: Aifread's Hunting Ground
  • Date: August 23rd 2018
  • Summary: On a whim, Josie collects Claude and Layna and heads out to the Hunting Ground to do a little exploration. Perhaps another has been lured by the promise of treasure. However, the animals of the hunting ground might have their own opinions on this front.

DG: A party led by Josephine Lovelace is now entering Aifread's Hunting Ground.
DG: Party formation is now over. An Entry Challenge will now be drawn and displayed to the party.
=========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>=========================
========================<* CHALLENGE - Where to Begin *>========================
|Type: Entry       |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 2          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 Everyone who comes to hunt at Aifread's Hunting Ground knows to turn to the
 authority. You open your inventory, and pull out the book in question...

 	***

 Welcome to Aifread's Hunting Ground!

 An expansive, rolling plain stretches out before you. Rocky cliffs,
 treacherous plateaus, and not-so-distant mountains make these lands more of
 a maze than one might expect. Knowing that dangerous, but profitable
 monsters are here to hunt, though... that might make one eager to get on
 with it. However, blindly charging into the hunting grounds is not
 recommended! One might get lost.

 Or make too much noise and frighten off the game. Or, worse, make noise and
 lure things in that prey on you. Caution is recommended for the eager
 hunter.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground,
 Frontmatter
=Dungeon Conditions: Reckless, Tire===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    Well, why not?

    It had been, more or less, the rationale behind Josie collecting a few like-minded people and heading out to the fabled happy hunting grounds of Aifread the pirate.

    One might question the practicality of doing so when a war is underway and with a bevy of warning signs (earthquakes, alleged mystery islands, etc) at hand, but perhaps due to her line of work -- Josie's never been one to dwell too long on things like risks, hazards, potential ghost doom-curses, and so on.

    "Not bad looking," she comments, gesturing towards the expanse before them with a nod of her head. "What do you think our odds are?" She pats a pocket absently, apparently searching for the guide.

    Odds of... what?

    Penelope chooses that moment to take flight, winging off into the wilderness with a whirr of wings.
    And a short trilling cry.

<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

'Well, why not' is basically what caused Claude C. Kenny to go on his last Dig, and he ended up finding a hold bunch of really old, awesome beer as a result. (And also sharing a manly bath with Zed and a disapproving-looking Rudy, but that's a separate issue.) So when Josie comes talking about fabled pirate treasure or whatever... well, why not?

It is therefore a cheery and smiling Claude who hitches his sword belt, tightens it a notch, and surveys the same landscape she does. "Pretty good, I think!" he says optimistically, clapping Josie on the shoulder before hopping off the edge and sliding down the decline, toward the wilderness below. The sound of whistling echoes out as he slides, the sound fadign as he gets further and further down.

... is that Yankee Doodle?

DG: Claude C. Kenny has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Where to Begin.
DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Penelope toward her party's challenge, Where to Begin.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

As somewhat of an Aifread enthusiast - having borrowed the legendary pirate's name once before - Layna had great interest in the Hunting Grounds he was said to have frequented. Unfortunately there's been a lot of things keeping her busy of late, but now that a lot of that business has been cleared up(and three large weights have been removed from her shoulders), she's free to relax and do a little bit of exploring on her own.

Well, sort of on her own - she's here with others, of course.

"Aye, it never ceases to amaze me, it does." Layna replies, gazing out over the expanse of the Hunting Grounds with her telescope and placing it back on her belt. She chuckles, then, before collapsing it and watching as Claude slides down.

"Never really put much stock in odds, m'self. Can never be too sure of anything until you try it for yourself, aye?" Layna replies.

DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Captain's Telescope toward her party's challenge, Where to Begin.
=========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>=========================
========================<* CHALLENGE - Where to Begin *>========================
|Type: Entry       |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 2          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 Everyone who comes to hunt at Aifread's Hunting Ground knows to turn to the
 authority. You open your inventory, and pull out the book in question...

 	***

 Welcome to Aifread's Hunting Ground!

 An expansive, rolling plain stretches out before you. Rocky cliffs,
 treacherous plateaus, and not-so-distant mountains make these lands more of
 a maze than one might expect. Knowing that dangerous, but profitable
 monsters are here to hunt, though... that might make one eager to get on
 with it. However, blindly charging into the hunting grounds is not
 recommended! One might get lost.

 Or make too much noise and frighten off the game. Or, worse, make noise and
 lure things in that prey on you. Caution is recommended for the eager
 hunter.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground,
 Frontmatter
=Dungeon Conditions: Reckless, Tire===========================================
====================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground - Round 1 *>====================
==========================< Results - Where to Begin >==========================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  0 --(3)--> 3                   Pass
Penelope                            3   Wits    Effects: Resilient and Liabili
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claude C. Kenny                     0 --(8)--> 8                   Fail
Investigate                         0   Wits    Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      0 --(3)--> 3                   Pass
Captain's Telescope                 3   Wits    Effects: Fanfare
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Josephine Lovelace          0 --(15)--> 15                 Pass
Conditions: Reckless(2)|Tire(2)
Effects: Resilient(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has passed this challenge! The party gained 15 exploration! If anyone needs to use party
management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
DG: Claude C. Kenny has drawn a new Challenge.
=========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>=========================
===================<* CHALLENGE - Admiring Yaks From Afar *>====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 3          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The noble yak can only be found in Aifread's Hunting Ground, at least on all
 of the known Silver Star. This majestic beast, with its thick fur, is an
 impressive specimen that can survive and indeed thrive at high altitudes!
 Herds of the beasts can be admired from afar.

 CAUTION: YAK STAMPEDES CAN BE SUDDEN AND DANGEROUS. IN THE EVENT OF A YAK
 STAMPEDE, BE ELSEWHERE.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, pp. 77
=Dungeon Conditions: Overwhelm, Cripple=======================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    Granted, the odds that the legendary pirate actually buried his treasure here are in all likelihood slim. Still, what's a girl to do but try her luck?
    If nothing else, there'll be hunting to be had.

    Besides, with company split between Layna (who is a kindred spirit) and Claude (who she's gone on expeditions with before) it'll be a promising enough day.

    "That's the spirit, kid," she answers him, still searching for that pamphlet when he claps her on the shoulder. "Hm?"
    So it is that Claude goes sliding down the slope with Penelope leading the way... right into a bramble of a blackberry bush. The slope's got a lot of them there, as Layna can see.

    Josie just watches this happen.

    "...Making your own luck, huh?" she says to Layna. "Always been a fan. C'mon, let's go fish the kid out."

<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

With the assistance (or not, if they feel like jerks) of his erstwhile companions, Claude C. Kenny pulls his way out of the blackberry bush, picking brambles and thorns out of his hair and also face as he comes to his feet. His jacket, pants, and hair are dripping with the juice, and while he tries his best to keep it from getting on Josie or Layna, it's a bit of a hard go.

"Thanks," he says, frowning as he pulls a blackberry out from his collar. "Well, at least the worst's over with," he says with a shrug, then pops the berry into his mouth and starts chewing happily.

And then he stops, as a large wooly head with two curved horns pokes out of a nearby blackberry bush.

And then another.

And then twelve more.

"....do...." Claude swallows. "Do water buffalos like blackberries?" he asks quietly.

Whether or not they do, YAKS SURE SEEM TO, because they start charging toward the group. "Go go go!" Claude yells desperately as he starts running toward the safety of a nearby treeline. "Try to surf on their backs, maybe!" he adds, terribly.

DG: Claude C. Kenny has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Admiring Yaks From Afar.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

"Aye, aye." Layna replies with a nod. As a pirate she has be known to be a jerk from time to time...but she likes Claude, so she does assist in pulling him out of the blackberry bush.

"...Just had to say somethin', didn't you, lad?" Layna comments, watching as a pack of yaks emerge from the bush, preparing to attack.

Layna, very quietly, draws a bottle from somewhere and takes a swig before handing it off to one of the others.

"Good idea, lad." She lies with a nod, and then...with a wind-propelled jump, aims to plant herself right on the back of a yak, before gripping its horns and trying to steer it away from the others.

Layna will probably be fine. Probably. But as for the others, well...

Let's hope they have the knack for avoiding the yak.

DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Quartermaster's Stash toward her party's challenge, Admiring Yaks From Afar.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    While Josephine Lovelace is by no accounts a particularly kind woman, she still...

    Makes her way down the hillside towards where Claude has hit a bit of a rough patch, of sorts. She's even managed not to laugh, though the same can't be said of the amused smile she's wearing. "Could have been worse," she informs him, while attempting to pull him free.

    "Could have been a cactus patch."

    She then reaches down and plucks a berry from a nearby bush, popping it into her mouth. "Not bad," she comments, as she glances over into a black glassy eye on a very large hairy face.

    "..."

    Josie slowly pulls the booklet out of her pocket, flips it open and glances at a line of text.

    "Doesn't say," she informs Claude gamely.
    The booklet's tucked away, and she reaches over instead to take that bottle from Layna, similarly opting to make this the moment for a drink.

    Before hand it back, nodding once grimly and then running as if the proverbial hells were nipping at her heels.

    Penelope, mysteriously, has made herself extremely scarce here somewhere in the middle of proceedings. How uncharacteristic of her.

DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Admiring Yaks From Afar.
=========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>=========================
===================<* CHALLENGE - Admiring Yaks From Afar *>====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 3          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The noble yak can only be found in Aifread's Hunting Ground, at least on all
 of the known Silver Star. This majestic beast, with its thick fur, is an
 impressive specimen that can survive and indeed thrive at high altitudes!
 Herds of the beasts can be admired from afar.

 CAUTION: YAK STAMPEDES CAN BE SUDDEN AND DANGEROUS. IN THE EVENT OF A YAK
 STAMPEDE, BE ELSEWHERE.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, pp. 77
=Dungeon Conditions: Overwhelm, Cripple=======================================
====================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground - Round 2 *>====================
=====================< Results - Admiring Yaks From Afar >======================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  3 --(20)--> 23                 Fail
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claude C. Kenny                     8 --(20)--> 28                 Fail
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      3 --(15)--> 18                 Pass
Quartermaster's Stash               2   Agility Effects: Quicken
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Josephine Lovelace          15 --(10)--> 25                Fail
Conditions: Cripple|Overwhelm|Reckless(1)|Tire(1)
Effects: Quicken(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has failed this challenge! The party gained 10 exploration! If anyone needs to use party
management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

The running of the yaks proceeds well for roughly 2/3 of the group, mostly. Layna's plan works fine, but the wooly bovines basically blow past Josie in their hot pursuit of Claude C. Kenny, who is running like the proverbial dickens is after him. which it is, in the form of yaks.

For a few seconds it looks like the blonde swordsman is going to outpace them, but then his foot clips a gopher hole, and he measures his length (and also his face in the forest loam. By the time he gets back to his feet, the yaks have barreled over him. Fortunately, the smell of Layna's mystery brew has caused the creatures to lose the scent of blackberries, so they carry on their merry way.

"If... you're going to play my funeral..." Claude groans, "...don't play the.... yakety... sax."

DG: Layna Manydays has drawn a new Challenge.
========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>========================
================<* CHALLENGE - Sheer Cliffs and Hidden Yaks *>================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 3          |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 The cliffs of Aifread's Hunting Ground are one of the true natural beauties
 of our fair Glenwood! However, the enterprising traveler will know to
 exercise caution. The switchbacks up the cliffside are prone to sudden
 rockslides, which makes crossing them precarious. Additionally, one must
 always be mindful of the yaks.

 The rewards can be great, however, for the view from a plateau top is often
 tremendous! Please refer to our supplementary volume, 'The Poetry of
 Aifread's Hunting Ground,' available at every reputable bookstore in
 Pendrago.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, pp. 22
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer===================================================
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

Layna hops off her yak about halfway through it to regroup with the others.

"How're you two doin'? No one lose any limbs, I hope?" She asks, looking them over. They both look fine, all things considered...but it was always good to be sure.

Once everyone's ready the three of them proceed, where they find themselves at the cliffside. It'll give them a good vantage point to study the lay of the land, as well as being a remarkable view in general!

There's just one problem.

Well, several problems.

Several big, hairy problems.

There are a lot more blackberry bushes scattered around, and any one of them could be concealing yet more yaks.

Layna decides to observe from a safe distance.

DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Captain's Telescope toward her party's challenge, Sheer Cliffs and Hidden Yaks.
<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

Claude C. Kenny is limping a little, because hitting a gopher hole at full sprint is a good way to break - or in his case, seriously sprain - an ankle. But he keeps soldiering on, drawing on qigong to dull the pain, hoping they'll eventually stop for a short breather. He doesn't ask for one, because he doesn't want the pirate lady to think he's a wuss.

"Huh..." Claude mutters to himself, scratching his chin idly. "I remember my mom telling me something about places like this once," he says. "Bbasically, if you keep to the left and always to the left, you'll always find a way through."

before anyone can tell him that that is for labyrinths, not canyons, Claude is stomping through the brush into one of the switchbacks.

DG: Claude C. Kenny has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Sheer Cliffs and Hidden Yaks.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    "I've been better, but I've had worse!" she calls back.

    Josie, meanwhile, is forced to do a bit of a loop back and around from where she'd been knocked down, left in the dust as the yaks stampeded off after...
    Hoo boy. Some kids really were sleeping in when the Luck Guardian came around.

    "You okay there, kid?" she calls out once the coast is a little bit clearer. "You know, when a horse breaks a leg, they take him out and shoot him~"
    She's being playful. Probably.

    Which leaves them with the matter of the cliffside ahead.
    And the yaks.

    "Hm," Josie considers, reaching up to brush some hair (and blackberry leaves) out of her face.

    "Left, huh? Might be good a shot as any."

    Before she takes all of a couple steps, crouches, and picks up a single white feather.

    Her gaze lifts to a nearby branch, and the wayward bird nestled on a limb.

    In silence the two of them stare at one another for a moment.

    Then Penelope takes flight off up along the cliffside.

    Hopefully she leaves another feather or two behind or tracing her path might be a little tricky.

DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Penelope toward her party's challenge, Sheer Cliffs and Hidden Yaks.
========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>========================
================<* CHALLENGE - Sheer Cliffs and Hidden Yaks *>================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 3          |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 The cliffs of Aifread's Hunting Ground are one of the true natural beauties
 of our fair Glenwood! However, the enterprising traveler will know to
 exercise caution. The switchbacks up the cliffside are prone to sudden
 rockslides, which makes crossing them precarious. Additionally, one must
 always be mindful of the yaks.

 The rewards can be great, however, for the view from a plateau top is often
 tremendous! Please refer to our supplementary volume, 'The Poetry of
 Aifread's Hunting Ground,' available at every reputable bookstore in
 Pendrago.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, pp. 22
=Dungeon Conditions: Suffer===================================================
===================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground - Round 3 *>===================
==================< Results - Sheer Cliffs and Hidden Yaks >==================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  23 --(35)--> 58                Fail
Penelope                            3   Wits    Effects: Resilient and Liabili
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claude C. Kenny                     28 --(35)--> 63                Fail
Investigate                         0   Wits    Effects: BASIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      18 --(30)--> 48                Pass
Captain's Telescope                 3   Wits    Effects: Fanfare
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Josephine Lovelace          25 --(5)--> 30                 Fail
Conditions: Cripple|Overwhelm|Suffer(1)
Effects: Resilient(1)
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has failed this challenge! The party gained 5 exploration! If anyone needs to use party
management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

Layna peers across the Hunting Ground, nodding to herself. She was starting to get a good feel for things...but before she can formulate a path in her head, something happens.

Claude distributed good(?) advice. Josie and Penelope have a staring contest. The latter takes off.

The fluttering of wings and disturbance of foilage causes the nearby foilage to rustle...

...awakening a sleeping yak, which does not seem too pleased about the situation.

Ah.

There is no lack of yak chase sequences today.

On the bright side, at least they got a nice view beforehand...?

DG: Josephine Lovelace has drawn a new Challenge.
=========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>=========================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Over-sized Bear Traps *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 We are proud to announce that the first printing of Going Hunting: A
 Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground comes with a free over-sized
 bear trap. This trap is sufficient to catch the medium-to-large sized game
 to be found on the Hunting Grounds. To properly set the trap, please take
 the following steps:
 1) Remove trap from its paper wrapping.
 2) Dig a four foot deep hole, six feet wide.
 3) Prepare trap by winding it backward to open teeth; then place beef or
 other bait in trap.
 4) Wait until your prey approaches, and then see its spring-loaded jaws
 clamp down on its leg!

 CAUTION: DO NOT STEP IN TRAP. EVER.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, footnote
 on pp. 218
=Dungeon Conditions: Tire, Treasure===========================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    ...On the other hand, perhaps there are things to worry about besides being able to track the bird.
    Penelope is not particularly quiet. The chase that ensues is a rather abrupt one, during which the pigeon once again mysteriously vanishes into the brush, unscathed by yaks and other troublemakers.

    A SHORT TIME LATER

    "Well, this looks more promising," Josie says, flipping through the pamphlet briefly before dropping to the ground and going through the contents of her pack.

    "I wouldn't mind giving this a go." Out come the traps, along with the best friend of diggers and archaeologists everywhere:

    The trusty mattock.

    "Looks like we just dig a hole, set the trap, bait it, and sit back and wait. Heh, maybe we'll catch one of those yaks." She could go for a little payback.

    Hefting the mattock, she strides out into the clearing to do a little digging.

    She glances back over her shoulder.

    "Oh, and try not to step in it~?"

DG: Josephine Lovelace has used her Tool Well-Used Mattock toward her party's challenge, Over-sized Bear Traps.
<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

After half an hour being chased by smelly sheep-cows, Claude C. Kenny is all the way in on any plan that involves killing a yak. He's gonna get him some steak, or whatever yaks are made out of. It'll probably taste a little like blackberries, but WHATEVER.

The bruised, limping swordsman pulls a bottle of little white pills out from a belt pouch; he pops one and offers others around, then sets to the whole digging thing with a will. Except instead of digging, he's punching the ground out of the way, because space* drugs** are great that way.

* - Not from space
** - Also not drugs

DG: Claude C. Kenny has used his Tool Pla-C-Bow toward his party's challenge, Over-sized Bear Traps.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

Traps are good, Layna can approve of traps - they were a valuable tool in any pirate's arsenal.

"Aye, wouldn't that be a sight?" Layna comments with a grin. She was starting to lose patience with the yaks, too. Frankly, she was glad that hadn't run into them again here.

"Aye, aye." Layna says, accepting a pill from Claude before getting to work as well. She doesn't have her drill with her today since it needed a little maintenance, so she's just going to have to use her bare hands to help keep things stabilized.

DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Brute Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Over-sized Bear Traps.
=========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>=========================
====================<* CHALLENGE - Over-sized Bear Traps *>=====================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Brute     |Challenge Rating: 2          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 We are proud to announce that the first printing of Going Hunting: A
 Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground comes with a free over-sized
 bear trap. This trap is sufficient to catch the medium-to-large sized game
 to be found on the Hunting Grounds. To properly set the trap, please take
 the following steps:
 1) Remove trap from its paper wrapping.
 2) Dig a four foot deep hole, six feet wide.
 3) Prepare trap by winding it backward to open teeth; then place beef or
 other bait in trap.
 4) Wait until your prey approaches, and then see its spring-loaded jaws
 clamp down on its leg!

 CAUTION: DO NOT STEP IN TRAP. EVER.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, footnote
 on pp. 218
=Dungeon Conditions: Tire, Treasure===========================================
====================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground - Round 4 *>====================
======================< Results - Over-sized Bear Traps >=======================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  58 --(0)--> 58                 Pass
Well-Used Mattock                   2   Brute   Effects: Strengthen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claude C. Kenny                     63 --(0)--> 63                 Pass
Pla-C-Bow                           2   Brute   Effects: Strengthen
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      48 --(0)--> 48                 Pass
Force                               0   Brute   Effects: BASIC
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Josephine Lovelace          30 --(25)--> 55                Pass
Conditions: Cripple|Overwhelm|Tire(2)|Treasure(1)
Effects: Strengthen(1)
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has passed this challenge! The party gained 25 exploration! If anyone needs to use party
management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
DG: Claude C. Kenny has drawn a new Challenge.
=========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>=========================
==================<* CHALLENGE - Identifying Animal Tracks *>===================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 3          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The following pages list the tracks of all known animals, beasts, and quarry
 that an enterprising hunter might find in Aifread's Hunting Ground! Our
 staff of daring adventurers have put together an exhaustive list, and made
 many notes. Please note, one has nothing to fear from any of the
 creatures... with good Glenwood pluck and the sort of fighting-man spirit
 you need for the greatest hunt!*
 * IF YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY A SET OF TRACKS, A HASTY ESCAPE IS RECOMMENDED.
 PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR SOLICITORS ASSURE US THAT WE ARE NOT LIABLE SHOULD A
 NEW SPECIES BE DISCOVERED. SOMETIMES, THAT JUST HAPPENS.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, pp. 3
=Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck, Stupify========================================
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    Digging a hole goes fairly smoothly. Also without incident -- setting and baiting the traps!

    After that, it's simply a matter of finding a good place to hide (and have a drink or two) and...

    *SNAP*

    They may already be a winner.

    Though, really, it does beg the question -- why are there all the blueberry-eating yaks out here anyway?

    "Let's leave it here for now -- I don't feel like hauling a five-hundred pound carcass around, yeah?" runs Josie's assessment on their little victory for the day. If nothing else, they'll have yak steak for later.

<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

Claude C. Kenny killed 500 pounds of yak, but could only carry 200 back to the caravan. Sorrow.

Still, he is cheered (Read: basically salivating) over the idea of some yak steak right now, continues to shuffle-limp along the way, taking the elad because he is the closest thing to a main tank. Eventually the open space tightens into forest, through which can be found a path of some sort. It is probably, upon reflection, some sort of game trail; it zigs and zags around static obstacles like large rocks and truly massive trees, and several branches along the edge are broken or bent because something fairly sizable has passed through here.

Also there are tracks on the ground, but they're just from a bunch of animals and stuff.

The boy from Earth drops into a low crouch, holding up a hand over his shoulder as he scrutinizes the traces. Orienteering and general wilderness survival skills were things Claude learned at the Academy, and so he has some experience in this matter. Unfortunately, ten millennia after the Federation was founded, said classes tend to assume you have things like, you know, a tricorder with perfect mapping and geospatial tracking, as well as a handy VI with libraries of xenobiological data that would allow you to sort tracks from each other.

Which, of course, Claude has. He just can't use it right now, because people are looking. Which sucks. So instead he relies on native talent rather than learned skill - things like a love for animals that would make him attentive to minute details, or the simple intuition that comes from quiet meditation and awareness of one's surroundings.

Talents

Originality
Dexterity
Writing Ability
Pitch
Sixth Sense
Sense of Taste
Sense of Design
Sense of Rhythm
Love of Animals
Blessing of Mana

Shit.

".......yeah, it's probably fine," Claude says, straightening and continuing to walk.

DG: Claude C. Kenny has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Identifying Animal Tracks.
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

"...Yeah, maaaybe we oughta thought of that first." Layna concedes, looking it over with a frown. But hey, the important thing was they finally got one over on those yaks!

Sure, it was 2-1 now, but they'd even the score out eventually...probably. For now, though, she decides to just continue on along with the others into the forested area. They find some tracks!

Unfortunately, Layna also doesn't know too much about tracking animals. She's a pirate, after all - her specialty is the sea, and fish don't exactly leave footprints for one to follow.

"Figure anything out there, lad?" Layna asks, looking over his shoulder curiously. It's not like she'd be any help in this matter, unfortunately.

DG: Layna Manydays has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Identifying Animal Tracks.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    "Possibly," Josie says, but still shrugs. "We'll come back for it, sure enough."

    The day's still young, or however that saying goes -- Josie at least wants to push on while they still have daylight, see what they can find out here. It's the thrill of the hunt perhaps in the end. That old desire to keep seeking, even if you have already had a gain or two against long odds.

    There's a small trail that winds through the foliage out this way. "Reminds me of when I was a kid," she says, pushing some of the tall grass aside. "We had a proper forest back home -- a far cry from the sands, you know."

    So she'd know what sort of markings these are, right?

    "...Hmm."

    She investigates the little signs of animal passage carefully.

    "...Deer?" she hazards.

    She might have played in the woods as a kid, but that's still a long ways away from being a tracker... and she's spent most of her adult life in the desert.

    W E L P

DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Wits Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Identifying Animal Tracks.
=========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>=========================
==================<* CHALLENGE - Identifying Animal Tracks *>===================
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Wits      |Challenge Rating: 3          |
---------------------------< Challenge Information: >---------------------------
 The following pages list the tracks of all known animals, beasts, and quarry
 that an enterprising hunter might find in Aifread's Hunting Ground! Our
 staff of daring adventurers have put together an exhaustive list, and made
 many notes. Please note, one has nothing to fear from any of the
 creatures... with good Glenwood pluck and the sort of fighting-man spirit
 you need for the greatest hunt!*
 * IF YOU CANNOT IDENTIFY A SET OF TRACKS, A HASTY ESCAPE IS RECOMMENDED.
 PLEASE NOTE THAT OUR SOLICITORS ASSURE US THAT WE ARE NOT LIABLE SHOULD A
 NEW SPECIES BE DISCOVERED. SOMETIMES, THAT JUST HAPPENS.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, pp. 3
=Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck, Stupify========================================
====================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground - Round 5 *>====================
====================< Results - Identifying Animal Tracks >=====================
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  58 --(28)--> 86                Fail
Investigate                         0   Wits    Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claude C. Kenny                     63 --(28)--> 91                Fail
Investigate                         0   Wits    Effects: BASIC
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      48 --(28)--> 76                Fail
Investigate                         0   Wits    Effects: BASIC
-----------------------------------< Party >------------------------------------
Leader: Josephine Lovelace          55 --(5)--> 60                 Fail
Conditions: Bad Luck(2)|Cripple|Overwhelm|Stupify(2)|Tire(1)
Effects:
===============================< Dream Chasers >================================
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has failed this challenge! The party gained 5 exploration! If anyone needs to use party
management commands, do so now. Otherwise, the next round's GM may begin the next round with +dungeon/draw.
<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

"Not really," Claude answers, rubbing the back of his head. "It looks like it's bot two front fingers that are fat and a thin back one, so I guess it's a hoof. But I haven't seen any cows or horses around here," he adds. "So I don't know what else has hoofs around... here..."

*ANGRY YAK NOISES, FROM BEHIND*

"guardians whyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy" Claude screams as he scrambles into the trees.

DG: Layna Manydays has drawn a new Challenge.
========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>========================
============<* CHALLENGE - Rushing Waterfalls and Scenic Vistas *>============
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 3          |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 Three rivers cut through Aifread's Hunting Ground. Given the elevation, each
 moves quite rapidly, and they can make truly breathtaking waterfalls!
 Despite this, one should never, ever enter a river near a waterfall.

 As a brief aside, this travel guide has waterproofed pages and a cover. You
 may ask why. You may ask if we expected you to fall into a river and be
 swept away, hurtling towards a waterfall. That, dear reader, would be silly.
 After all, we warned you of the danger of slippery rocks and deceptively
 fast currents.

 You or those representing your estate could never prove that we did not
 before a court of inquiry.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, pp. 6
=Dungeon Conditions: Injure, Bad Luck=========================================
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

Layna mentally readjusts the score to 3-1, in the yak's favor, as they once more find themselves being chased. However, As they're running she can faintly hear the sound of running water.

"There's a river up ahead! We can lose 'em here, yaks can't cross running water!" Layna shouts. She somehow does this while simulataneously drawing her drink from somewhere, taking a swig, and passing it off to the others.

Just one of the perks of being a pirate.

As they get closer to the river, it becomes increasingly apparent that it happens to be directly attached to a rather ferocious waterfall. Layna either doesn't notice this or doesn't care, as she opts to try and skip the river entirely with a wind-powered jump.

Time will tell whether or not this or more or less dangerous than just crossing via the rocks.

DG: Layna Manydays has used her Tool Quartermaster's Stash toward her party's challenge, Rushing Waterfalls and Scenic Vistas.
<Pose Tracker> Claude C. Kenny has posed.

Claude C. Kenny is good with Layna's plan. He figures either he'll make the jump, drown, or get dunked in the river and at least not smell like yak any more. That's 2 out of 3 positives, which is better than most plans he participates in.

Flickers of blue light shimmer around the blonde swordsman's legs as he channels his chi, accelerating into an Olympic-level sprint, then surging up in a powerful leap, aiming to cross the river in a single leap.

DG: Claude C. Kenny has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward his party's challenge, Rushing Waterfalls and Scenic Vistas.
<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    What's been lurking around here and has hooves?

    The answer, as it were, is staring them right in the face.
    Or possibly, the other end.

    Running for the trees and through the brush ensues! Josie meanwhile mentally adjusts both the threat level of and the sense of indignation towards the animal known as a yak.

    As they close in, the threat behind them gaining rapidly, on a river. "Sounds good to me!"

    And never one to pass up a drink at the most inappropriate time possible, Josie takes the handed off bottle and downs a mouthful before tossing it back and

    With a burst of Symbology channeled from a tattoo upon her back, Josie casts out a blaze of brilliant white light for the yaks before twisting to make that leap across the water. She might be showing off.

DG: Josephine Lovelace has contributed a Agility Basic Action toward her party's challenge, Rushing Waterfalls and Scenic Vistas.
========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>========================
============<* CHALLENGE - Rushing Waterfalls and Scenic Vistas *>============
|Type: Exploration |Dungeon Ability: Agility   |Challenge Rating: 3          |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 Three rivers cut through Aifread's Hunting Ground. Given the elevation, each
 moves quite rapidly, and they can make truly breathtaking waterfalls!
 Despite this, one should never, ever enter a river near a waterfall.

 As a brief aside, this travel guide has waterproofed pages and a cover. You
 may ask why. You may ask if we expected you to fall into a river and be
 swept away, hurtling towards a waterfall. That, dear reader, would be silly.
 After all, we warned you of the danger of slippery rocks and deceptively
 fast currents.

 You or those representing your estate could never prove that we did not
 before a court of inquiry.

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, pp. 6
=Dungeon Conditions: Injure, Bad Luck=========================================
===================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground - Round 6 *>===================
==============< Results - Rushing Waterfalls and Scenic Vistas >==============
Player                               Exhaustion                      Pass/Fail
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Josephine Lovelace                  86 --(30)--> 116               Fail
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Claude C. Kenny                     91 --(30)--> 121               Fail
Rush                                0   Agility Effects: BASIC
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Layna Manydays                      76 --(30)--> 106               Fail
Quartermaster's Stash               2   Agility Effects: Quicken
----------------------------------< Party >-----------------------------------
Leader: Josephine Lovelace          60 --(5)--> 65                 Fail
Conditions: Bad Luck(2)|Cripple|Injure(2)|Overwhelm|Stupify(1)
Effects: Quicken(1)
==============================< Dream Chasers >===============================
DG: Josephine Lovelace is too exhausted to continue!
DG: Claude C. Kenny is too exhausted to continue!
DG: Layna Manydays is too exhausted to continue!
DG: The party has failed this challenge! All party members are now Exhausted. This attempt is over.
DG: The party led by Josephine Lovelace has been fully Exhausted by Aifread's Hunting Ground!
DG: The party will now draw a conclusion.
========================<* Aifread's Hunting Ground *>========================
==================<* CHALLENGE - The Better Part of Valor *>==================
|Type: Escape      |Dungeon Ability: Conclusion|Challenge Rating: 1          |
--------------------------< Challenge Information: >--------------------------
 The enterprising hunter knows that sometimes a trip must be cut short.
 Perhaps you have seen a truly inspiring sight, perhaps you have bagged a
 beast for the ages, or perhaps your sucking chest wound has caused you mild
 inconvenience. Whatever the reason, do not hesitate to flee! After all, the
 Hunting Ground shall be here for years to come -- and we shall be your
 guide, ever faithful!

 -- Going Hunting: A Traveler's Guide to Aifread's Hunting Ground, pp. 227
=Dungeon Conditions: Bad Luck=================================================
<Pose Tracker> Layna Manydays has posed.

Layna, Claude, and Josie all clear the river with no problem, and even with a bit of added pizzazz! It wasn't that hard of a jump, really, at least for experienced adventurers like these three.

Unfortunately it turns out that yaks can, in fact, cross running water, as evidenced by the fact that they just continue chasing them through it without even being slowed down.

"...Huh. Was it oxen, maybe? Aye, that sounds right." Layna muses with a nonchalant shrug as she continues to run away.

<Pose Tracker> Josephine Lovelace has posed.

    "Close enough!" Josie calls over, before continuing to leg it off into the distance.

    Hopefully, they'll be able to eventually double back and retrieve that yak carcass to at least get some steaks out of this.

    Hopefully.